Hull KR captain Vella calls time on illustrious career after failing to land another contract

Hull KR captain Mick Vella has confirmed that he will quit his playing career at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old prop forward's decision brings to an end an illustrious 13-year career that saw him chalk up 159 appearances for Parramatta and 113 for Rovers, in addition to winning eight caps for the Kangaroos.

'It was a tough decision for me to make,' Vella told the Hull Daily Mail. 'The decision was made for me because I've not been offered a new contract, even though I had planned to play another year.

'I felt my body was good enough to play another year but I'm not 25 any more and teams aren't willing to take a gamble on me.'